2025 Women in CRE: Shannon Bahnsen, Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP

What has been the most rewarding project or deal you’ve worked on in your career, and why?

My practice includes negotiating commercial leases on behalf of landlords and tenants for high-end properties, including retail, restaurant, office, industrial and other commercial properties located in New York and across the United States. However, the most rewarding deals for me are ones where I represent retail tenants looking to open their first location in New York. The excitement and enthusiasm that these business owners have is contagious and I always feel so honored to have been a small part of the process once they are not only open and operating, but truly thriving as a business.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in commercial real estate?

Seek out mentors who bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives across the industry and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s also incredibly valuable to build a strong network of women within commercial real estate community. There are many women-focused organizations (and committees within organizations) that offer valuable opportunities to connect and collaborate with other women in the field.